So it turns out disgraced former Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Urban Meyer is a serial abuser. His first head coaching job was at Bowling Green University, and according to one of his former players, Meyer physically abused several players during his tenure. Alexander says he was kicked off the team for standing up to Meyer.
The accusation was revealed on Twitter in response to a question from journalist Jemele Hill about Meyer’s behavior as a college coach “behind closed doors.”
The more stories that come out about how Urban Meyer conducted himself in the NFL, the more I wonder about his behavior in college behind closed doors. If he felt this free to treat grown men like this, imagine the shit he said/did to college players and coaches. https://t.co/ksrAhTNgR4
— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) December 16, 2021
@jemelehill In my 5 yrs at BG we were struggling for wins, I guess we thought that’s what it took to win, no one ever reported his abuse at BG. I myself was kicked off the team for retaliating but he had physically abused several players before it got to me..
— Aaron Alexander (@DoubleA101778) December 16, 2021
Meyer was fired by the Jaguars for cause, and it turns out he was abusive verbally and physically according to reports. Placekicker Josh Lambo alleged that Meyer refused to called players on the special teams units by their actual names and even used vulgar names, and that he was kicked by Meyer.
“It was ‘Kicker, Punter, Long snapper,’ ” Lambo said. “Or S–tbag, Dips–t or whatever the hell it was. I’m in a lunge position. Left leg forward, right leg back. Urban Meyer, while I’m in that stretch position, comes up to me and says, ‘Hey Dips–t, make your f–king kicks!’ And kicks me in the leg.”
Meyer has since denied kicking Lambo, as well the allegation that he berated his assistant coaches and called them “losers.”
“It was like, ‘Wait a minute, where is this coming from?'” Meyer said. “I’ve certainly made a few mistakes but those weren’t right.”
Proving the validity behind these accusations without irrefutable evidence, will be a lot of “he-said, he-said.” But there is certainly something to this. Meyer has left his last three head coaching jobs under extremely negative circumstances.
If you just focus on his time at Jacksonville, there is enough here that nobody should ever think about hiring this man. Meyer hired former Iowa strength coach Chris Doyle, despite Doyle’s long and well-documented record of racist behavior.
Jaguars Do The Obvious Thing And Fire Urban Meyer; What’s Next For The Problematic Coach?
Then there was the week four overtime loss to the Cincinnati Bengals when Meyer decided not to fly back with the team and stay in Ohio. That’s when he found himself trending on the internet for a photo in the bar with a woman that’s not his wife.
Jaguars receiver Marvin Jones Jr. had to be persuaded to return to the team facility after leaving in response to Meyer’s criticism of the wide receivers. Sources also said that Meyer and Jones had a heated exchange at practice after he returned.
None of these incidents are signs of a man who really understands what it means to be a leader. You can be tough and hard-nosed. This isn’t advocating for participation trophies in pro sports. But it is advocating for humanity.
It’s not hard to be decent. Urban Meyer is not a decent person, because decent people don’t engage in this type of behavior.
“Regaining Our Trust And Respect Was Essential” | Urban Meyer Out At Jacksonville In Under A Year
We don’t know what’s next for Meyer. But here is hoping that common sense and decency prevail in the rooms where decisions on coaching hires at all levels are made.
Decency needs to be a minimum standard for a position as important as head coach, Meyer shouldn’t be rewarded with another opportunity.
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